Is black mold the landlord's responsibility to fix?« Back to Previous Page
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My kids have been coughing for a couple of weeks and I suspect it's from the black mold I just found growing behind our bedroom wardrobe in our Jumeirah apartment. It's a pretty big patch and the wall feels damp to the touch. I’ve told my landlord, but he says it's our fault for not ventilating properly and that we have to pay for the cleaning and repainting. Is this actually the tenant's responsibility to fix, especially when it seems like it could be a building issue?
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Based on the specific conditions in your Jumeirah apartment, this is almost certainly the landlord's responsibility to remediate, not yours. The presence of a significant patch of black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) coupled with a damp wall indicates a persistent moisture issue that extends beyond routine condensation from daily living.
Under UAE rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is legally obligated to maintain the property in a habitable condition and is responsible for repairs related to the core structure of the building. A damp wall suggests a potential leak from plumbing within the walls, a faulty external sealant allowing water ingress from the humid exterior air, or a structural issue with the building envelope. These are not tenant-caused problems. While proper ventilation is a tenant's duty, it typically mitigates surface-level condensation on windows, not seepage or leaks that cause walls to remain damp to the touch behind furniture. Given the health symptoms you describe and the visible growth, a professional inspection is critical. Our certified mold assessors at Saniservice can conduct a comprehensive investigation, including moisture mapping and air quality testing, to definitively identify the moisture source and the extent of the contamination. This detailed technical report is vital evidence to formally present to your landlord, demonstrating the structural nature of the problem. Do not attempt to clean this yourself, as disturbing the mold can release harmful mycotoxins. For a definitive assessment and to document the issue for your landlord, I strongly recommend you contact our experts. Call Saniservice at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection. |
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